 |
|
|
BJP emulating Rahul’s Dalit agenda
(From left): BJP leader LK Advani with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj, BJP President Nitin Gadkari and MM Joshi at the BJP National Council in Indore on Wednesday. — PTI
Gadkari hopes to end acrimony in leadership
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Party showcases ‘gaon, gram’
Soren’s ‘sincerity’ to fight Maoists worries Buddha BDO’s
Release
Govt admits it had some intel warnings
Recovery of explosives in Punjab: Probe points towards KCF
Lapang apprises Centre of BDR firings
Oz envoy launches portal for Indian students
DefExpo
Indigenous medium-range surface-to-air Akash missiles drew many admirers at the DefExpo 2010 in New Delhi on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
‘Eavesdropping’ Britons placed under detention
Demand for Bodoland intensifies
GoM clears Bill on malpractice by educational institutes
23 die in UP bus mishap
Dogs to sniff out poachers
Ostracise Naxal supporters: Cong
|
|
BJP emulating Rahul’s Dalit agenda
Inspired by and emulating AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s Dalit agenda in toto, BJP’s ninth president Nitin Gadkari commenced his new innings in Indore unveiling his Dalit agenda.
Gadkari who arrived in Indore yesterday invited himself with much fanfare to dinner at the party’s Dalit municipal councillor Preeti Karoutia’s house and preceded that by paying a flying visit to Mhow, near Indore, birthplace of BR Ambedkar, to give his respect to the greatest Dalit leader of modern times. Of course for all the “Gaon, Gram culture ostensibly being promoted by the BJP here by putting up tents for the 5,000 delegates to live in for next three days, Preeti is no “Gaonwali.” She is a second-generation BJP leader and the daughter of ex-councillor Jagdish Karnoutia. Significantly, when Rahul spent a night at a Dalit’s house, a few days before the BJP parliamentary board appointed Gadkari its president late last year, he had publicly appreciated the gesture. Formally, BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad denied any political agenda in this Dalit gesture. He insisted, “We have no political agenda concerning Dalits, we always paid our respect to Babasaheb Ambedkar.” He virtually reiterated what Gadkari had stated at the national executive. While mentioning his visit to the Dalit household Gadkari insisted that there was no political agenda and stressed on fighting against untouchability. And yet Prasad was hard pressed to explain why there were virtually no cutouts of any BJP Dalit leaders when the entire route to Omaxe City rechristened as Kushabhau Thakre Nagar was dotted with cutouts of other BJP leaders like Arun Jaitely, Sushma Swaraj, Gadkari himself, Ananth Kumar Narendra Modi and even Yuva Morcha leader Amit Thakkar. But Prasad’s denials notwithstanding, Gadkari has already declared his intent to increase the party’s vote share by 10 per cent and specifically mentioned in this context his desire to attract Dalits and minorities, including Muslims, by being “Fair to all, appeasement of none.” In the same spirit, in his acceptance speech at the national executive here today, Gadkari under played the Muslim-terror phobia, subtly conveying the message of a change in the BJP under him. But as a political observer pointed out here, “What future will the BJP have if it is chasing the same agenda and constituency as the Congress and perceived as its B team?”
|
|
Gadkari hopes to end acrimony in leadership
A period of acrimony, bickering, sniping and undercutting may end in the leadership when the BJP national council ratifies the election of its news president Nitin Gadkari here on Thursday. Gadkari, the ninth president of the BJP, acutely felt it and liberally talked of these tendencies among BJP leaders in the recent past that had made the party an object of ridicule in the public eye.
Without naming anybody, the new president in his maiden address to the national executive here today, reminded its top leaders, “Respect should be commanded, not demanded, your demeanour should persuade others to respect you. Don’t be small-minded, be large-hearted. Enhance your esteem rather than undercutting your rival and competitors”. He also reminded his fellow leaders, most of whom were older than him, that all issues that caused embarrassment to the party in recent times were not raised by any ordinary worker. These were all senior leaders “whom the party has given a lot”. He said a majority of those who the defeated candidates were those who got the ticket through lobbying, in effect putting into dock almost all senior party leaders. He rounded off his argument by quoting a couplet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee saying, “Chhote man se koi bada nahin hota, toote man se koi khada nahin hota” (a petty minded person cannot rise to greatness, just as you cannot rise and fight with a broken heart). He ended his arguments reminding his audience of the need to swim together to avoid sinking together with the party. Gadkari was virtually furthering the theme point made by RSS joint general secretary Suresh Soni, who only last week had warned BJP leaders at a public meeting that “when a hole develops in a boat all occupants have to work together to plug it instead of jumping out for security, otherwise all will drown.” Gadkari is a direct appointee of the RSS and even the decision to sleep the next three days in tents has been taken at RSS’ instance. Soni came here two days ago, inspecting arrangements, reinforcing the belief that Gadkari is merely doing a command job at RSS’ bidding.
|
|
Party showcases ‘gaon, gram’
The 90-acre plot on the Agra-Mumbai highway which the BJP is showcasing as its connect with “gaon gram” for the three-day national executive is the site for a swank modern township called Omaxe City being developed by the Omaxe group. Today, it is dotted by 1,300 tents to house 5,000 delegates to sell this party of upwardly mobile urban middle class to the rural folk. A cow and her young one are lazing under a hurriedly put up hutment close to the entrance. A stone’s throw away a man is roasting fresh “bhuttas” (maize). It’s also an attempt by new BJP president Nitin Gadkari to give an eco-friendly image to the party that he will lead for the next three years. So, MP Industries Minister Kailash Vijayvarghiya has arranged CNG-fuelled tempos and brand new bicycles to ferry people to and from the venue of the national executive, a good 3 km away, all with thatched roofs in the midst of freshly cut fields. Except that not one of the 75 odd NE members gave a second look to this healthy mode of transport. They would rather be chauffeured in motorised transport. Two electrically operated golf carts are exclusively for Gadkari and LK Advani. Others had to contend with CNG tempos, including the young and agile Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi. The 25 top BJP leaders, including Advani, Gadkari, Murli Manohar Joshi, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, and BJP chief ministers have separate tents for them, all air-conditioned with attached toilets. And yet if the grapevine has it right, most of these top leaders don’t plan to spend the night there. Instead they may go to their acquaintances’ houses and return next morning. The likes of Gandhi duo, (Maneka and Varun) are being mentioned and so is that of Vasundhara Raje and her MP son Dushyant Singh, Sushma Swaraj and even Rajnath Singh. As for the last two, BJP spokesman explained since they are unwell they need “rest and care”. But not many would know how many others may need “rest and care”.
|
|
|
Soren’s ‘sincerity’ to fight Maoists worries Buddha
Kolkata, February 17 Soren’s absence at the joint meeting of four Naxal-hit states which Union Home Minister P Chidambaram recently held in Kolkata had already passed on a “wrong signal” about his (Soren’s) sincerity in tackling the Maoist menace, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is learnt to have told Chidambaram. Urging the Centre to try and persuade Soren, Bhattacharjee said Soren’s absence had instead acted as an “encouragement” to Jharkhand Maoists for extending their operation in neighbouring states. Notably, the EFR camp attackers are said to have come from the jungles of Jharkhand and fled back after the incident. While submitting to the Centre its report of the probe into the massacre that left 24 EFR jawans dead in West Midnapore district, the state government admitted the police failure in preventing the attack. Notably, the report came a day after a two-member team of the Home ministry flew in from Delhi to make an on the spot inquiry into the incident. An inquiry into the failure leading to the attack, said the state government, was underway and action would be taken against the “guilty police men”. Speaking to mediapersons here today, Chief Secretary AM Chakraborty said he spoke in detail with the Home Secretary on the phone and assured the Centre of revamping the intelligence network of the state police in order to avert such incidents in future. Meanwhile, the wives and other relatives of the 24 victim jawans today launched a protest demanding the Chief Minister’s visit to the camp and an assurance from him for their demands. Yesterday, the aggrieved relatives of the killed jawans had forced state Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta for declaring an ad hoc grant of Rs 15 lakh each of victims’ families, besides a government job.
|
|
|
BDO’s
Release Ranchi/Jamshedpur, February 17 “Maoists have set some conditions to set free Dalbhumgarh BDO Prasant Kumar Layek. Their chief demand is to release innocent villagers now lodged in Dalbhumgarh jail. All the cases are pending in the court. The legal process to release them has already begun,” Soren read out from a written statement at a news conference here. “So, I appeal to them (Maoists) to set free our officer unharmed at the earliest,” he said. Maoists, who kidnapped Layek on Saturday, had earlier in the day demanded a statement from the Chief Minister on their conditions to set the BDO free. The extremists had yesterday said they would release Layek if the state government gave in writing regarding fulfilment of their demands, including unconditional release of 14 of their men arrested by the police.
— PTI |
|
|
Govt admits it had some intel warnings
Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Wednesday admitted it had some intelligence warnings that Maoists were “assembling” in the area around Shilda police camp, which was attacked by Naxals. The admission by the government came a day after an outraged Centre slammed the Left Front government expressing dismay at the "unprofessional, incompetent, untrained and inadequate" response of the state police force to the Maoist attack. "It is not a clear case of intelligence failure. There was intelligence report that the Maoists were assembling in the area, though there was no specific information that they may attack the EFR camp," West Bengal Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters.
— PTI
|
|
Recovery of explosives in Punjab: Probe points towards KCF
Patiala, February 17 “Officials of the Punjab Police, Haryana Police, II) and Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police are presently camping in Patiala and some concrete results are expected in couple of days,”said a senior Punjab police officer. While informing that the police has rounded up one Pargat Singh from Palwan village in Dhuri for allegedly providing logistic support to a terrorist outfit in planting IED’s, Intelligence Wing sources said during the course of investigations it had come to light that Bakshish Singh, alias Baba, is currently in the state. Police officials have also said since Bakshish is an active member of the KCF, the involvement of the organisation in the recent recovery of explosives cannot be ruled out. However, the officials refused to divulge any details about Bakhshish, on the pretext that it could adversely affect the investigations. Interestingly, the role of top Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy, who reportedly stayed in Patiala last year, is also under scanner.
|
|
Lapang apprises Centre of BDR firings
Shillong, Febuary 17 Lapang spoke to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram over the telephone last evening apprising him of the plight faced by the people residing along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border following repeated incidents of firing by BDR, they said. Over 100 families in the Muktapur area have moved to safer places, the officials said. Muktapur village headman Manosh Manner said the firing that occurred on Sunday has triggered panic among the people. “Many families have left their houses and moved to safer places since then,” he told visiting reporters. “The villagers have also stopped going to their paddy fields out of fear,” he said. Lapang told Chidambaram that the people of Muktapur village and the areas along the border with Bangladesh in Meghalaya are in grip of insecurity and the firing incidents have affected them economically, the officials said. Lapang requested him to take up the issue with the Bangladesh government to settle the matter amicably. Two incidents of firing between the Border Security Force (BSF) and the BDR were reported in the Meghalaya border this month. The BSF, however, insisted that the situation was normal now and the force had strengthened its outposts putting them on maximum alert to prevent recurring of the incidents. “The BSF has decided to strengthen all its posts and put its personnel on maximum alert. If the BDR indulges in misadventure, we will give them a befitting reply,” a BSF spokesman said. On Sunday, BDR troops fired at three places along the Bangladesh border in Meghalaya, prompting the the BSF to retaliate. On February 4, heavy firing was reported in Muktapur area between the border guards of both countries, after an intrusion attempt by the BDR, one of whom was detained by the BSF and later handed over to the authorities of the neighbouring country.
— PTI
|
|
Oz envoy launches portal for Indian students
New Delhi, February 17 A spokesperson of the Australian High Commission, though, denied that the portal had anything to do with recent cases of violence against Indian students. He, however, added that the portal would include information regarding the government assistance services available to the Indian students studying in Australia. “We want this website to assist students in getting the information they need to have a productive time in Australia and to build a network of friends and colleagues who will stay with them throughout their lives,” said Peter Varghese, Australia’s High Commissioner to India. Following recent attacks on Indians in Australia, the number of students applying to Oz universities has gone down drastically and the initiative to introduce this website is being looked at as a step towards painting a better picture of the pacific country. On the other hand, the number of students applying for visa to other countries like the UK has risen dramatically. The High Commissioner urged all present and former Indian students in Australia to log on to the website www.myoznetwork.com and see how useful it could be. The portal already features blogs and individual pages of former and present students studying in Australia, has interviews of students who are completely satisfied with the Australian hospitality. The first article is of a student who is enrolled in MBA programme in Oz who said he was delighted with the quality of education and lifestyle there. Another student Rajat Taneja, who studied at the University of Ballarat, wrote about the teachers at his university in Australia, “The lecturers have great depth of knowledge and they are more than willing to help the students at all
times”.
|
|
Krishna rules out composite dialogue with Pakistan
New Delhi, February 17 Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik called on Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao at the South Block here as part of ‘preparatory discussions’ on the talks between the two Foreign Secretaries. This was the second meeting between Nirupama and Malik after New Delhi invited Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir for talks in New Delhi. At their last meeting on February 5, Nirupama had proposed February 18 or February 25 for the talks between the two Foreign Secretaries. Malik later flew to Islamabad to discuss the two dates with his government. India is insisting on only discussing the issue of terrorism at the talks while Pakistan says it would want to discuss other issues like Kashmir and water. Islamabad also seeks the resumption of the composite dialogue process, suspended following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Meanwhile, in an interview to a television news channel, Krishna asserted that the talks between the two Foreign Secretaries would focus on terrorism. “Let the nation not be mistaken that composite dialogue is being renewed. Composite dialogue was suspended with very good reason from the Indian point of view. The issue that we raised remained to be addressed by Pakistan with a degree of seriousness,” he said. The minister said he was not aware what issues the Pakistan Foreign Secretary would raise but emphasised that “the brief for our Secretary (Nirupama) is that terror is the focus point of talks.” Krishna said the Foreign Secretary-level talks would only take place “in order to carry forward the core issue as far as India is concerned about terror and terror-driven activities emanating from Pakistan.” On the BJP’s sharp criticism of the government’s decision to hold talks with Pakistan, the minister said, “If there is a better suggestion in terms of alternative, the government is willing to consider it.”
|
|
Nations vie to outdo Russia for military ties with
India
New Delhi’s defence market is expected to touch $100 billion over the next decade Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 17 The ongoing DefExpo in the National Capital is full of aspiring countries and also those who are already doing business with India -- representatives from 35 countries are here. Some are virtually “snapping at the heels” of Russia that is India’s largest defence partner and supplier. Companies have made inroads and have cut into what was once a solely Russian domain. Others are waiting in the wings and want their home countries to change strategies to suit India. Yesterday, the head of the Rosoboronexport (the Russian conglomerate of companies), Victor Komardin, stressed that Russia was a dependable partner for India. He hinted at the days of the cold war and post-Indo-China conflict when the erstwhile USSR delivered the then top-line fighter MiG 21 in the early 1960s. Now, the two countries are co-developing a cruise missile -- Brahmos -- and the next generation fighter planes. India also produces the Sukhoi-30 and the T-90 tanks here by itself, among other equipment. The upcoming Indian nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, also has a strong Russian element. The India president of a leading foreign manufacturer says future Indian decisions will be made in the backdrop of such a Russian model of participation. The same has to be replicated by others to survive. Talking to The Tribune, Matthias Schmidlin, India campaign director, Eurofighter, says the European conglomerate will leverage the clout of the partner nations — UK, Italy, Spain and Germany. “The four nations will combine their political strength.” The company is a bidder in the 126 medium fighters’ deal worth US$10 billion. The company’s sister concern, Eurojet, is a bidder for the engine to be fitted onto the next generation of the Indian-built light combat aircraft — Tejas. India head of the BaE, Andrew Gallaghar, says the company was looking to create designers and developers here in India itself. French company DCNS has been making submarines at Mumbai. Italian company Fincantieri is providing the design for India’s under-construction sea-borne aircraft carrier and its propulsion system. The engines of the Italian ship and the Indian ship are common. It is also making a set of three fleet tankers for the Indian navy. The first one will be delivered by December this year, says Arvind Singh Raghav, who heads the India office of the company. Another Italian company, Finmeccanica, yesterday signed a deal with TATA to make choppers. US company Boeing has won a contract to supply the long-range reconnaissance aircraft. The US Congress has also okayed the ultra-light howitzer of the BaE for direct sales and India is expected to be beneficiary. The gun can be lifted by a chopper and moved in the mountains. Israel has developed an airborne radar and supplies UAVs to India, besides high-end radars and missiles. Also, German major Thyssenkrupp Marine systems is in talks with three Indian defence shipyards for making ships. “We will build here itself and transfer technology,” says Stephen Laufer. European missile maker MBDA says it is ready to sign up for the short-range air defence missile and is waiting for the DRDO to finalise matters. Korean Aerospace Industries, a firm owned by Samsung, is one of the bidders to make the basic trainer for the IAF.
|
|
‘Eavesdropping’ Britons placed under detention
New Delhi, February 17 “They will remain in the detention centre till we complete our investigation,” a senior Delhi Police official said. Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police officials have been questioning Stephen Hampston (46) and Steve Martin (55) since last night. “We have to be doubly sure before we let them off. Their antecedents and claims are being verified and until the authorities are satisfied, they cannot be let off,” the official said. If needed, the police might invoke the archaic provision of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, to register an FIR against them. Stephen and Martin, railway employees in London, were rounded up yesterday from a posh hotel near Indira Gandhi International Airport as they were trying to listen to conversation between Air Traffic Control and pilots using sophisticated equipment. They had specifically asked the hotel to book a room for them overlooking IGIA, arousing suspicion of hotel officials, who informed cops after noticing “suspicious activities” of two foreigners. The Britons claimed they were only pursuing a “hobby” but their sophisticated equipment suggested otherwise. “Their laptops, diaries and other papers are being checked. We have kept the British High Commission informed. Both persons are cooperating with us,” said the police official. US citizen Winston Marshall Carmichael who was detained on February 12 from Indira Gandhi International Airport with a knife in his hand luggage remains in FRRO detention. Indian intelligence officials and a FBI team joined in to probe if he had any terror link with US LeT operative David Headley but are yet to reach a conclusion. “The FBI is investigating his links with any suspicious persons in America and is yet to verify the claims made by Winston. He is likely to remain in detention for some more time,” a FRRO official said.
|
|
|
Pawar bats for GM crops
New Delhi, February 17 So while the decision to put a moratorium on commercialisation of Bt Brinjal by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh may have put a question mark on the future of GM food in the country, Pawar’s belief that these crops are the answer to the country’s food needs will come as music to ears for those fighting for commercialisation of the contentious vegetable. Though Pawar did not speak in favour of Bt Brinjal per se, he took a position diametrically opposite to Ramesh. Listing benefits of GM technology, Pawar said it helped increasing crop yield, lower production costs, conserve biodiversity, increase stable production and help alleviate poverty in poor and developing countries. “The recent decision on Bt Brinjal should not be seen as a setback to our efforts, but a challenge that we need to surmount. Conventional technologies of agriculture are inadequate to meet the formidable challenges,” he said, inaugurating the two-day conference of vice-chancellors of agricultural universities and meeting of directors of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Later, he conceded that the Environment Ministry had the final word on the issue, saying “we will respect the decision taken by the Environment Ministry, which can give us the ultimate guidance,” but added the country needed GM food to ensure food security. Meanwhile, Pawar said the food prices had started falling and would dip further over the next month. The government’s confidence stems from the prospects of a near-record wheat harvest and some decline in local sugar prices after forcing large consumers to reduce their stocks.
|
|
|
Demand for Bodoland intensifies
Guwahati, February 17 The BTADC, which is ruled by the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), was formed under the amended Sixth Schedule of the Constitution following signing of the Bodoland Peace Accord in February 2003 between the now disbanded Bodo Liberation Tiger (a militant outfit) and the Government of India. The Bodo Liberation Tiger after the signing of the accord floated the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) and contested its first election to the BTADC held in May 2005 and came to power in the council. Today’s BTADC resolution for formation a separate state is in contrast with the stand of the ruling Congress in Assam that has already announced its principled stand against further division of Assam. The BPF is the only partner in the ruling coalition led by the Congress in the state. Three senior BPF leaders — Promila Rani Brahma, Chandan
Brahma and Rihon Daimary — are cabinet ministers in the Tarun Gogoi-led government.
|
|
GoM clears Bill on malpractice by educational institutes
New Delhi, February 17 As per the bill, management of education institutions could face fine of Rs 5-50 lakh and a jail term from one to three years depending on the nature of malpractice, which is largely defined as misleading students with false claims and promises or charging capitation fees. The draft law is significant considering India presently has no legal mechanism to deal with those who misguide students and claim donations despite the apex court having banned the same. In its last meeting held on January 22 here, the GoM had cleared the proposed legislation to make accreditation mandatory for institutes and another one to set up education tribunals to adjudicate on all education-related disputes. The educational malpractice bill reportedly suffered some resistance from Pawar, who hails from a state that has a plethora of private medical and engineering institutes, many of which would now be required to stand the test of credibility.
|
|
23 die in UP bus mishap
Lucknow, February 17 Local villagers rescued around 40 persons, who were travelling in the bus that was overloaded with 63 persons. Some of the rescued passengers, who sustained minor injuries, have been admitted to the nearby hospital. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Brijlal said the deceased included five children and the rest were male members of the marriage party. The father of the bridegroom also died in the accident, said ADGP Brijlal. Postmortem of all the bodies are being conducted at Madhav Garh government hospital, he added. The accident took place on a bridge dividing UP and Madhya Pradesh by a rivulet around 124 kilometers from Lucknow, when the driver lost control over the vehicle in an attempt to over speed.
— ANI
|
|
Dogs to sniff out poachers
Bhopal, February 17 Four dogs are being trained to keep a watch on the poachers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. "We are training four dogs - all German Shepherds - for the Forest Departments of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand to check poaching of animals, especially tigers," Madhya Pradesh Special Armed Force 23rd Battalion's Dog Training Academy Deputy Superintendent of Police BB Rai said. The Traffic India of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was bearing the expenditure of dog training and had bought the canines for the different forest departments, Rai said. After training, two dogs will be handed over to the MP Forest Department and one each will be deployed in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, he said. According to Rai, the canines have completed the first part of their training - obedience - and now they will be imparted skills of nose work and trekking to track down the poachers. "We have asked the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department to provide us hides and bones of animals, particularly the tigers to give nose smell training to the dogs," he added. —
PTI
|
|
Ostracise Naxal supporters: Cong
New Delhi, February 17 “The Left in India cannot run away from its historical responsibility of having transplanted a foreign ideology predicated in violence,” Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said. Referring to Monday’s Maoist massacre in West Bengal, he said: “While the government will do what it has to, individuals and forces that romanticise or legitimise violence need to be ostracised.”
— TNS |
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Inspired by and emulating AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s Dalit agenda in toto, BJP’s ninth president Nitin Gadkari commenced his new innings in Indore unveiling his Dalit agenda.
New Delhi, February 17
